Elano to Lazio?

Of the many rumours this transfer season that is receiving a great deal of attention is Elano’s possible departure to Serie A side Lazio. The twenty-seven year-old midfielder who came over from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer of 2007 for £8m is disgruntled with his lack of playing time and definitely out of favour with Mark Hughes. Along with fellow Brazilian international Jô, will be moved by Man City if the the opportunity presents itself.

While Lazio has not indicated making any contact with the Citizens yet, in speaking to Corriere dello Sport Elano said:

“I would not have any problem playing in Italy. And Lazio are a very good team.

“I can not say more, I have to speak to Manchester City. I will do it soon, then decide what to do.

“I have heard it said that Lazio would be interested. I am pleased that such a big club is tracking me.

“At the moment there are lots of things being said, I have to stay focused. I prefer not (to comment further). I am a Manchester City player and I have to give priority to my club.

“I have not talked about my future with any team.”

another step forward against Lazio

The Rossoblu took another great step forward as they came within a whisper of defeating Lazio before settling for 1-1 draw. Following the recent 4-1 demolition at the hands of Juventus, Genoa needed to make a stand and come up big against Lazio, which is precisely what they did. The match start with Gian Piero Gasperini's side on their heels, defending against a steady attack which kept most of the play in the final third of their end. However with a firm defensive stance they were able to hold back Lazio's efforts by not allowing a final good look towards 'keeper Rubinho. Near the half-hour mark Mourad Meghni missed a glorious opportunity to open the scoring opportunity for the hosts but in alone on the Genoa goal he shot wide. Genoa looked to have the lead five minutes before the half as Anthony Vanden Borre's perfectly placed cross found Diego Milito for an easy goal but in a fit of madness the linesman raised the flag and eliminated the score. Seven minutes after the break, Genoa received the benefit of a penalty call as Swiss international Stephan Lichtsteiner adjudged to fouling Giuseppe Sculli. However Diego Milito provided Lazio a lifeline as his shot soared over the crossbar. Finally with twenty-one minutes remaining Genoa opened the scoring, preying upon a defensive blunder with Anthony Vanden Borre crossing to Diego Milito for a textbook finish to the back of the net. However visions of the three points drifted away for Genoa with ten minutes remaining with Lazio's Ousmane Dabo level the match scoring from long-range in what should have been a easy save. While Genoa will look back on a number of missed opportunities including Raffaele Palladino close-range blunder with eleven minutes remaining, it was a notable step in the clubs affirmation that it can play with the best and a legitimate threat for a European spot.

the great challenge of Lazio

As I look back over the Serie A campaign there have been many brilliant surprises and a few disappointments. On the negative side, I'm hoping to see my Sicilian friends Reggina scramble up the table and this nonsense of Roma being near the bottom of the table ends shortly and is never uttered again. Of course on the opposite end of the equation there are many great stories to-date, including the return of Napoli and Lazio to playing with the best of the league.

Lazio has put together a rock solid plan of attack and at its foundation is being very stingy of giving up points at home. This conversely points into Genoa's great weakness, the ability to play away from Stadio Luigi Ferraris. While on the surface this match features the most explosive attacks in Serie A, Genoa has been far from terrifying away from home with only four goals in six matches. Notions of an fireworks filled match certainly doesn't have precedent with Genoa on the road and Gian Piero Gasperini is likely to employ a highly defensive stance in this match.

For the match Lazio will be without Boca Junior product Cristian Ledesma and Tricolorii-capped Ştefan Radu who are both in the sin-bin while the Rossoblu are still be missing Giandomenico Mesto and Francesco Modesto to injury.

Key for Genoa is the back-line work of Matteo Ferrari, Giuseppe Biava and Domenico Criscito controlling the powerful Lazio attack with Vélez Sársfield product Mauro Zárate producing at an electrifying pace. Excluding the Juventus match Gian Piero Gasperini has preferred to use a more defensive strategy on the road. Given the fall-out of that match I expect a return to that approach with the following lineup:

Genoa
Rubinho
Giuseppe Biava/Salvatore Bocchetti,Matteo Ferrari,Domenico Criscito
Marco Rossi,Thiago Motta,Ivan Jurić,Giuseppe Sculli/Boško Janković
Raffaele Palladino, Diego Milito,Andrea Gasbarroni/Boško Janković

I will report on it as it concludes.